Infection Flashcards
What is septic arthritis
Infection producing inflammation in a joint
Types of septic arthritis
Acute
Chronic
Clinical presentation of septic arthritis
Single swollen joint with pain on movement - usually the knee
Joint swollen, warm, tender
Why is septic arthritis a medical emergency
Can destroy a joint in <24 hours
Pathophysiology of septic arthritis
Infection of the joint can cause damaging inflammation and loss of function
Aetiology of septic arthritis
Direct injury or blood borne infection.
Prosthetic joints are more susceptible.
Mostly Staphylococcus aureus.
Gram negative are more common in the elderly.
Epidemiology of septic arthritis
Increases with age
Immunocompromised
(Mortality rate approx 11%)
Diagnostic tests of septic arthritis
Bloods: ESR and CRP elevated
Synovial fluid culture
Treatment of septic arthritis
Immediate empirical antibiotics (flucoxacillin usually)
Splinting
Aspiration to drain the joint
Complications of septic arthritis
Delay in treatment can cause joint destruction and long-term disability
What is osteomyelitis
Infection of the bone marrow
Clinical presentation of osteomyelitis
Fever
Local pain
Erythema
Chronic: sinus formation
Pathophysiology of osteomyelitis
Results in inflammatory destruction of bone. When dead bone detaches from healthy, it forms a sequestrum. Large sequestrum that remains in situ acts as a focus for infection. New bone can form around this and often causes deformity.
Aetiology of osteomyelitis
Local infection (usually following trauma) or due to metastatic haematogenous spread. Usually Staphylococcus, but sometimes Haemophilus influenza and Salmonella.
Epidemiology of osteomyelitis
Increasing due to increase of predisposing conditions such as daibetes
